Dietary Intakes of EPA and DHA Omega-3 Fatty Acids among US Childbearing-Age and Pregnant Women: An Analysis of NHANES 2001-2014.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Repeated cross-sectional survey analysis of national health data (NHANES)
PubMed 29597261 · doi:10.3390/nu10040416
What was done
Researchers evaluated usual dietary and supplemental intakes, adherence to Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations, and 14-year trends for EPA and DHA among US childbearing-age and pregnant women aged 15–44 years. Data were analyzed from seven consecutive cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2001–2002 through 2013–2014).
What was found
For childbearing-age women, the mean usual intake of seafood was 0.44 ± 0.02 oz. equivalent per day, with 100% falling below the DGA recommendation. Mean usual daily intakes from food and dietary supplements combined were 26.8 ± 1.4 mg for EPA, 62.2 ± 1.9 mg for DHA, and 88.1 ± 3.0 mg for combined EPA and DHA. Over 95% of the sample did not meet the target intake of 250 mg/day of EPA and DHA, with similar results observed in pregnant women. Although slight but statistically significant increases in EPA and DHA intakes occurred over the 14-year period (p = 0.005 for childbearing-age women, p = 0.002 for pregnant women), substantial nutrient shortfalls remained.
Why it matters
This study shows that nearly all US women of childbearing age and pregnant women fail to meet recommended EPA and DHA intake levels, and current dietary supplement use is insufficient to close the gap.
Limits
The abstract does not report the total participant sample size (n). The findings rely on self-reported dietary recalls and supplement questionnaires, which are subject to recall bias, and biological biomarkers of omega-3 status were not assessed.
Cited by
- supports 90% of the US population and 80% globally do not consume sufficient levels of omega-3 fatty acids.